Banyin set to face indictment

Public prosecutors yesterday agreed to indict former commerce minister Banyin Tangpakorn, accusing him of colluding in the premeditated murder of billionaire property developer Chuwong Sae Tang in 2015.

Crime Suppression Division (CSD) deputy chief Chakrit Sawasdee said the decision to prosecute Pol Lt Col Banyin was made by prosecutors at the Bangkok South Criminal Court yesterday.

The ex-commerce minister was scheduled to report to the court on June 15. He was also summoned to meet investigators at 9am on June 8 in preparation for being taken to the court to be officially indicted.

Pol Col Chakrit said investigators had solid evidence proving that the death of the tycoon was not caused by a car accident, adding the victim was murdered.

The CSD deputy chief, however, said investigators will drop a charge of reckless driving causing death against Pol Lt Col Banyin.

Chuwong was originally thought to have been killed in a car crash on June 26, 2015 when Pol Lt Col Banyin drove his Lexus sports utility vehicle into a tree in Bangkok’s Prawet district.

Just days before the crash, shares worth over 300 million baht that were owned by Chuwong were found to have been transferred to two women, raising suspicion of foul play.

Pol Lt Col Banyin, who survived the crash unscathed, was later charged with murder.